NASHVILLE – Work of the newly-formed Tennessee Equine Well being Advisory Fee is underway with a bunch of consultants within the equine trade. The fee was enacted by legislative motion in 2020 and is charged with finding out the standing of equine well being and rising equine well being points.
“Animal well being is a major focus in agriculture,” Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. mentioned. “With this group of consultants who’ve private {and professional} information within the horse trade, I’m assured animal well being initiatives in our state will likely be even stronger.”

The Tennessee Equine Well being Advisory Fee is charged with finding out the standing of equine well being and rising equine well being points.
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The 9 members of the fee will work collectively to advertise horse well being and to encourage sound agricultural practices with equine actions and the breeding of equine livestock. Their first venture is to develop and submit an annual report back to the governor’s workplace on the standing of equine well being in Tennessee and description motion if advisable. It can be crucial that equine illnesses and developments are monitored and addressed to guard equine industries in Tennessee.
Members of the Tennessee Equine Well being Advisory Committee embody:
Dr. Samantha Beaty – State Veterinarian and Assistant Commissioner for Animal Well being, Commissioner of Agriculture designee
Monty McInturff – Tennessee Equine Hospital proprietor and observe supervisor, Governor appointed
Kelly Burchett – horse proprietor, Speaker of Senate appointed
Matthew Smith – horse proprietor, Speaker of Home appointed
David Terrell – carded horse present decide for quite a few associations, Governor appointed
Melanie Smith Taylor – equine clinician, tv broadcaster for main occasions, and decide for hunter/jumpers and hunter seat equitation, Governor appointed
Dr. Steve Adair – UT Faculty of Veterinary Medication, Division of Massive Animal Science affiliate professor, Governor appointed
Roger Elder – Elder’s Final Lap Ranch proprietor and member of UT Institute of Agriculture Advocacy Board for Animal Science, Governor appointed
Matt Horsman – Williamson County Extension Director, Governor appointed
Dr. Monty McInturff was elected chairman and Matthew Smith was elected secretary. The fee is connected to the Tennessee Division of Agriculture for administrative functions.